MK Dons boss believes he’s the right man for the job

MK Dons manager Dan Micciche says he is the “right man” to keep the club in League One despite losing his first five matches in charge.

He is in his first club managerial role with the Dons six points from safety. The new manager, who previously led MK Dons’ youth set-up, spent more than four years working with England’s development teams but left the Football Association by mutual consent in December.

Ex-Bristol City boss Keith Millen is Micciche’s assistant, while Dean Lewington has been made player-coach.

“From my time here previously and my experiences with England I think I’m the right man for the job” Micciche told BBC Sport.

“I feel like we’re asking young players to do a man’s job at the moment, and I don’t think it’s fair on some of the players to be in this situation with the pressure that they’re under.”

“We have to get some confidence into that dressing room because for all our efforts and nice play we’re getting nothing at the moment, and we have to start picking up points.”

Micciche also discussed how positive he is trying to be and how he’s trying to guide MK Dons away from the relegation zone.

“Every manager I’ve come up against since I’ve had the job has said ‘I can’t believe you’re in this position’,” the 38-year-old said.

“Everybody has got to be positive, but most importantly we’ve got to look for solutions and not problems.”

All of the defeats under Micciche, the club’s former academy coach and England Under-16 manager, have been by one goal, including Saturday’s loss to Charlton.

“Dan is a man with a plan and part of that plan is the introduction of Keith Millen into the management team, bringing to the Club a wealth of experience as a player, coach and manager, having worked at the very highest level with some of the best English managers in the game. He has also picked up important knowledge of Sky Bet League One following his recent work at Portsmouth.”

MK Dons were in the Championship as recently as 2016 and have not been in the fourth tier since the 2007-08 campaign.